The experiences of an interim-manager: Koen van de Walle speaking

Is your company facing change? Are you speaking of restructuring? A smooth transition is everything but evident. An interim-manager places the right expertise in your company to guide it through rough waters. Managing partner Koen van de Walle was already used as an interim-manager in different companies. He explains his experiences.

Interesting! How does iCredit actually work?

“The needs of our clients are central. We listen to their questions and dive into our broad database with interim-managers. In which we combine different professionals with whom we have been working for years. We frequently check in and ask about their projects, we know their skills like our back pockets. This way we can easily decide who fits the job best. We contact our interim-managers and discuss their availability. Usually after one day we can send in an appropriate candidate.”

Are you considering becomming a finance manager? We guide you from employee to freelancer. From Law practices to market positions: you can count on our advise.

What are the benefits of an interim manager for a company?

“To begin with, interim managers can be deployed quickly, provide support as long as necessary and bring a lot of independent expertise to a company. Thanks to their experience, they combine theoretical knowledge with enriching insights from practice. Moreover, as an outsider, they often provide a fresh and creative view on the professional challenges of an organization. They are very hands-on and make the difference with a solution-oriented mindset.”

“To make interim management succeed, the connection between the client and the team is crucial. During the interview, we usually quickly notice whether it is the right match.”

Of course you know perfectly well what it’s like to work as an interim manager, Koen. Can you tell us more about your experiences?

“That’s right, I have already completed several projects as an interim manager. For example, I managed the reorganization of two departments at a company in the leasing sector. It was my job to make the switch to the standard operating model. In another project I helped move a shared service center from Belgium to Eastern Europe. This meant that I supervised the closure in our country, selected the right employees in Poland and set up a system of shadow working. So the new Polish team came to sit here with the Belgian experts for a few weeks. That way they got to practice with the right skills and that guaranteed continuity.”

So, as you mentioned earlier, the projects can be very different.

“Indeed. As an interim manager, I was also deployed during the financial crisis to set up an alternative to a company’s credit insurance in the short term. Her insurer significantly reduced the risks and credit limits. The consequence? The organisation’s approach to risk was compromised and business continuity was threatened. After all, without customers you cannot make profit. Finally, I guided a company through the transition to another supplier. This affects many processes: from invoices to satisfaction surveys. In addition, the new supplier still had to receive thorough training. I took full responsibility for the project management.”

“It gives me great pleasure to successfully complete and satisfy the customer. During the project I also enjoy a smooth collaboration with the team. After all, you are part of the team for a while.”

Finally, how do you think iCredit differentiates itself from the competition?

“The close follow-up of our interim managers, which I mentioned earlier, is one of our greatest strengths anyway. In addition, we listen to both the interim manager and the customer. Is the collaboration running smoothly? Does the project lack some challenge? Do they encounter resistance during a change process? Then we take on the role of deminer and we actively look for a solution that all parties involved can agree with.”

Does your finance department temporarily need reinforcement? You can contact iCredit for both project sourcing and interim management. With project sourcing, you engage a finance consultant, who is usually on our payroll, for an operational function. Interim managers, on the other hand, are mainly freelancers, who tend to take on a guiding role. They already have some experience to their credit and display specific knowledge.

Can you use an experienced interim finance manager who can expertly untie the professional knots in your organization? We are happy to link you to the right profile. Contact iCredit!